The predominant VoIP software for Windows Mobile and desktop PCs has been Skype -- now owned by eBay. Skype made its debut in 2003 and gained a mobile client in 2004. Since then, several third-party Skype clients for Windows Mobile have appeared, including Fring and iSkoot, among others.

Like Skype, Raketu uses a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, offering free phone calls from one Raketu user to another. The company's revenue comes from selling users a variety of "RakIn" and "RakOut" calling plans for bridging to and from the standard public switched telephone network (PSTN). For example, calls within the U.S. cost a penny per minute, at any time of day, according to the company.

Raketu claims that unlike Skype, Joost, or Kazaa, its P2P software creates direct connections between users, without routing through a central gateway. This architecture is claimed to reduce security threats and unpredictable bandwidth and processing power utilization.

Raketu uses only about 33Kbps of bandwidth, so it works easily over WiFi, WiMAX, and cell providers' roaming data services, according to the company. Additional touted advantages include:

• Instant messaging with Yahoo, MSN, AIM, ICQ, Gtalk, and Jabber users
  
• Low-cost SMS text messaging
  
• Voice or IM conferencing

Finally, a "RakWeb" feature supports calling to and from Apple's iPhone, Blackberry, and Nokia phones via the company's Web-based interface.

Availability

Separate beta versions of the Raketu client are available for Windows Mobile 5, Windows Mobile 6, and Pocket PC 2003. More details may be available here.

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